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Good news everybody! I don’t need to lug around the oxygen tank anymore.

The bad news is I’m not breathing.

As of the 15th day of May in the year 2014, Buda is gone.

That’s what it says on my death certificate anyway . . . it should say that. I don’t know. I didn’t double-check it. I was kind of busy being dead.

I hope that I’m dead, considering what is being done to me. By far it is the worst abuse that my body has suffered.

And, boy, did I ever abuse it. I guess it all started when I was about 10 and my father warned me that I would go blind if I didn’t stop. Sure enough, I pushed my luck (or pulled it?) until I needed to wear thick glasses.

Life has been good to me. I have only one regret — being dead.

All-in-all, though, it’s been a wonderful ride.

Riding along with me and putting up with my crap for the last 52 years was Maggie who has made our bed every single day of our marriage. For that and many other great things as a wife, mother and grandmother, I thank you.

To my kids, Jackie, Russell and Erica, I leave an equal amount of debt.

My grandchildren, Russell Jr., Haley, Briley and Brooklyn — you are God’s reward to me for not having murdered your parents.

I have been a volunteer (or is it voluntold) with many organizations, including the hospital board, figure skating, Friendship Trail, Winterfest, and for the past many years, the Credit Union family. I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve . . . most of the time.

Friends of Buda are invited to join the family to help clear out my booze cupboard at Bridgewater Country Club on Wednesday, May 21 at 2 p.m.

Hard to believe you’re actually gone. So used to seeing you around Fort Erie & Stevensville since we moved here. You were such an important & memorable part of our figure skating world. You will be truly missed. Always had the best sense of humour. My thoughts & prayers are with your family at this time.

A man of inconceivable generosity, intense wit, and uniquely crafted humor- the world lost one of its absolute finest again on May 15th. There isn’t time or room here to describe who you are or what you did for us, but you know Buda. If we in life can be half the man you were, we’ll see you again.

goodbye to one of the best. Barry had a heart as big as all outdoors and a humour that just never quit. I enjoyed every minute of our friendship. Many is the pound I can thank Barry for with his luscious cakes and treats and many the tears of laughter . All my love Maggie and kids and precious grandbabies.
Heaven is much richer today.
love Sharon

Maggie, my most sincere sympathy to you and your family. Memories of Barry will always be filled with humour and originality. The fun he gave us all at competitions has never been equalled. Hoping his rest now replaces the last not so good times.

I was thinking about you Maggie just last week. Barry will be missed by your figure skating family. I also have to thank Barry for a few pounds. It has been a rough year for Western Ontario losing two amazing men. I am sure that Clare and Barry are up there having a good time with their stories.

It is just like Barry to write his own obituary and from what I read he is in a much better place.

Barry was always a cut up, so this is the perfect send off for himself. Maggie, I will always treasure Barry and his wonderful humour (and the yummy cakes he used to bring us) I hope that your grandchildren will have the same wonderful love of life as their grandpa. Hugs to everyone. Barry and Daddy will have lots of laughs in Heaven. Cake for everyone!

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